The Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class does 25 mpg combined (22 city, 30.5 highway), which works out to about $1,536 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 27 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 23 — a difference of $248 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class ranges from 27 down to 23 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $248 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24 / 32 | 2017–2020 | $1,422 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 20 / 29 | 2017–2020 | $1,670 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class burns a gallon every 25 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 480 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.128 |
| Fuel per year | $1,536 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,680 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$42 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,100 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class gives up 8.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.5 out there against 22 in town, a 39% drop worth $486 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.5 mpg | $1,259 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.5 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SLC-Class changed over the years
Combined figure across the 4 model years the SLC-Class was rated in, all of them at 25 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2019 | 21.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 22.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class — 2 engines across 2017–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,100. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class get?
25 mpg combined on average — 22 in the city and 30.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2020.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,536 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,680 over five years, or 0.128 dollars a mile.
Which SLC-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 27 mpg, against 23 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $248 a year.
Is the SLC-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world SLC-Class figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class is $3,100 against the $1,536 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 27 and 23 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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